The Ravens picked Clemson CB Nate Wiggins with the No. 30 pick. Who won and lost on the Ravens’ roster?
The Baltimore Ravens stayed at No. 30 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Instead of orchestrating a trade back, they selected cornerback Nate Wiggins out of Clemson.
This decision, along with any other draft pick the team makes, ultimately has some ramifications for current Ravens players, as well as other situations and storylines. Here are some winners and losers coming out of Day 1 following the Ravens’ first-round pick.
Winner: Pass defense
The Ravens’ pass defense was a strength for the team last season, but they saw some important contributors from 2023, namely safety Geno Stone and cornerback Ronald Darby, depart this offseason. There were question marks prior to last year at the cornerback position outside of Marlon Humphrey and it was unclear who would fill the starting roles alongside him.
Fortunately, the Ravens received a breakthrough season from Brandon Stephens, who emerged as a full-time starter as their No. 2. Stephens’ long-term future with the team is not set in stone as he approaches the end of his rookie contract, and Humphrey has unfortunately missed multiple games in recent seasons.
Wiggins profiles as an incoming rookie who can contribute from Day 1 and make an instant impact on defense. The Ravens have had their share of cornerback injury struggles over the years and have learned the importance of quality depth the hard way. Wiggins can slot in alongside Humphrey, Stephens, Arthur Maulet and company to give the Ravens another capable defender in the secondary.
In today’s NFL, having multiple playmakers in the defensive backfield who can generate turnovers and cover well is paramount. Wiggins will give the Ravens some insurance and boost in the area of pass defense.
Loser: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion Williams
The last cornerback draft picks still on the roster for the Ravens are Armour-Davis and Williams, who were each selected in the 2022 fourth round. Through two seasons, neither has emerged as a reliable defensive contributor. They’ve both missed extended time with injuries but also have yet to show consistency when given the opportunity.
There’s still time for both players to develop but the selection of Wiggins doesn’t exactly serve as a huge vote of confidence in them from the team. Williams is a pure nickel corner so he’s less likely to be impacted by the arrival of Wiggins per se. Armour-Davis, though, will now have to compete further down the depth chart and is in need of a big summer performance to change his trajectory thus far.
The Ravens value having multiple cornerbacks on the depth chart that can be relied upon if needed, especially given the injuries they’ve suffered at the position in the past. As a first-round pick with his talent level, Wiggins is likely to come in and play a defensive role right away. That means the margin of error for both young in-house corners is slimmer now.
Winner: Drafting a cornerback in Round 1
The last time the Ravens drafted a cornerback in the first round came in 2017, when they selected Marlon Humphrey. Prior to 2017, the only other first-round cornerbacks taken in franchise history were Duane Starks (1998), Chris McAlister (1999), and Jimmy Smith (2011). So, the Ravens have evidently had some success in this department.
It felt as though the Ravens were due to make another early selection at the position having not done so for seven years. Since taking Humphrey, they’ve added cornerbacks in the middle rounds of drafts and through free agency and trades. However, they’ve yet to acquire another foundational piece who can be a long-term cornerstone.
Wiggins, who’s just 20 years old, possesses a lot raw talent and upside. He’s already a great coverage player and elite athlete but still has room to grow. The Ravens track record in developing highly-drafted defensive backs is strong, so the foundation is there for Wiggins to be impactful.
Loser: Addressing the offensive line
Leading up to Thursday night, the most commonly-predicted scenario for the Ravens was taking an offensive tackle in the first round. A big run on offensive tackles throughout the night made that proposition difficult as the round progressed. Eight offensive lineman in total were off the board by the time the Ravens picked.
Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton, a popular mock draft name for the Ravens, slid to No. 29 but was snagged by the Dallas Cowboys just one pick before Baltimore. That likely made the decision to take a cornerback easier. However, while the Ravens addressed a need and landed a talented player by taking Wiggins, the offensive line remains a glaring area of focus for the team entering Friday and Saturday.
By not taking an offensive tackle or guard on Thursday night, or even not trading back to potentially do so early in the second round, it could be seen as a win for some of the team’s in-house players at those positions.